CHASING AND RACING 33 



sponsor being the worthy Jesse — whose marvellous 

 embrocation it was hoped would be boomed by the 

 exploits of the animal who, like The Usher, had 

 been ** a regular " under the name of The Stick. 

 Incidentally I may mention that he was the laziest 

 bit of horseflesh I ever rode. Nothing but a dog 

 whip, neatly curled around his loins, would rouse 

 him to a realization of his responsibilities ; but when 

 he knew that the tawse was in my hands he performed 

 great deeds of valour, for he could stay till the cows 

 came home, and had a nice turn of speed when he once 

 made up his mind to exploit it. He went to sleep the 

 first time I rode him, and only woke up in time to 

 finish a length behind the winner. But never again ; 

 for, without exception, after a dose of the medicine (not 

 dope) described, he managed to carry me to victory on 

 every subsequent occasion that I rode him. 



It was this joker that was entered in the last race 

 on the card. I had every intention of riding him myself, 

 but I was rather shaken by my Usher adventure ; 

 moreover, I was anxious to get back to town, so I 

 requisitioned the ever-ready Tommy Aldridge to 

 don my colours and weigh out. I watched the race 

 from the station approach and had the not unmixed 

 satisfaction of seeing Tommy land the phlegmatic 

 Embrocation an easy winner. Naturally I regretted 

 having missed a " cushy '* winning mount ! 



An objection came along. The grounds thereof 

 were that Aldridge, being a professional jockey, was 



